Presidential election results map. Blue denotes states won by Bayard/Randall, Red denotes those won by Blaine/Sherman. Numbers indicate the number of electoral votes allotted to each state.

President before electionWinfield ScottDemocratic

Elected PresidentJames G. BlaineRepublican

The United States Presidential Election of 1888 was held on November 6, 1888. The Republicans were hoping that, with the withdrawal of President Hancock from seeking a third term, they might have a chance at securing the White House from the Democratic Party. At the same time, there was serious infighting within the Democratic Party, which had fractured between supporters of President Hancock and those of Governor Grover Cleveland. The Republican candidate James G. Blaine would win the election in one of the closest results recorded so far, both electorally and through the popular vote.

Nominations

Republican Party nomination

Republican candidates:

John Sherman, U.S. senator from Ohio

James G. Blaine, former U.S. Senator from Maine

Benjamin Harrison, former U.S. senator from Indiana

Russell A. Alger, former governor of Michigan

Walter Q. Gresham, former U.S. Treasury Secretary from Indiana

William B. Allison, U.S. senator from Iowa

Chauncey Depew, president of the New York Central Railroad from New York